WACES Conference 2026

NBCC and affiliates leverage the power of Counselor certification to expand equitable access to highly qualified Counselors and mental health resources, education, and advocacy. We support Counselors so that they can serve the public and advance mental health efforts across the globe.

CACREP, solely in the Counseling profession, accredits Master’s programs in eight specialized practice areas and doctoral Counselor Education and Supervision programs. CACREP accredits 974 programs in 493 institutions. Its international affiliate, IRCEP, recognizes counselor education programs within and outside the US that demonstrate alignment with international professional counsellor preparation standards.

The IVS VALT solution is a hardware and software tool that enables users to leverage video to increase the quality of any Counseling program. This intuitive, browser based software gives users the ability to quickly supervise live video, launch recording session, descriptively catalog and stream them via a secure search.

Palo Alto University is a private, nonprofit university dedicated to advancing human understanding through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and impactful practice in behavioral science. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, PAU offers graduate and undergraduate programs in psychology, counseling, social work, and behavioral science, including the PAU-Stanford PsyD Consortium with Stanford Medicine. Grounded in human dignity, PAU’s scholars, clinicians, educators, and learners share a single conviction: that understanding how people think, feel, behave, relate, heal, and make meaning is among the most essential work of our time.

Founded by Eronilde “Nil” Buckley, the CARE Method is an evidence-informed domestic violence intervention curriculum integrating the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed practices. It supports treatment providers in promoting accountability, meaningful behavioral change, and long-term personal growth among individuals who have caused harm.

The deliberate practice platform for mastering complex interpersonal and clinical communication skills. Built on the science of deliberate practice, Skillsetter helps learners develop essential communication abilities through realistic video simulations, AI-powered conversation practice, and targeted feedback from both instructors and AI. Learners engage with authentic client scenarios, record and refine their responses, and receive actionable insights to strengthen their skills in a safe, supportive environment. Used across counseling, social work, medical education, and corporate training programs, Skillsetter enables users to gain meaningful practice beyond traditional settings. Through simulations of difficult conversations, exposure to diverse client and workplace experiences, ready-made modules, and seamless LMS integration, Skillsetter helps educators and leaders prepare confident, competent professionals for real-world practice.

California Counseling Association, a Branch of the American Counseling Association (ACA), is a professional association that serves its members to advance the field of counseling in the broad areas of mental health, career and education. Holding values that include Community, Workforce Development and Retention, Training and Development, Advocacy, and Thought Leadership, CCAs mission is to ensure that the counseling workforce is ready for inevitable evolution of the profession.

Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International is the international honor society of professional counseling and for professional counselors. CSI's mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.